The family of a recovery vehicle driver who died in a horrific crash which claimed six lives today paid tribute to him.

Michael Hutchinson, 44, from Rugby, Warwickshire, was killed when the breakdown vehicle he was driving collided with a lorry on the Surrey stretch of the M25.

Five of his six passengers also died, and one remains in hospital after undergoing facial surgery.

Today, Mr Hutchinson's uncle, John Hutchinson, spoke of the family's shock and described his nephew as a "nice, quiet lad".

The 77-year-old said: "He was a very helpful lad, very nice and friendly but also very quiet.

"We're a close family and we are all shocked by what has happened, especially his mother and father who live down in Cornwall.

"But it's not just us - the families of the others who were killed are also in our thoughts. It's so awful for everyone concerned."

Michael Hutchinson lived with his younger brother Mark in a house on South Street, near the centre of Rugby.

His uncle said neither of the men had ever married or had children.

Mr Hutchinson said his nephew loved his job as a recovery driver because "he liked helping people".

There was no reply at the brothers' house today, but neighbours spoke of their shock.

Next door neighbour Joyce Harris, 75, said: "He was very friendly, a really nice man.

"I used to speak to him when he was home, but he worked nights a lot of the time.

"He lived with his brother. They were both bachelors and they kept themselves to themselves.

"I was really shocked to hear what had happened."

The six passengers were part of a group of 13 men who had been on a stag weekend.

The minibus in which they were travelling broke down on the M1 as they returned from Leicestershire.

Mr Hutchinson was driving the recovery vehicle which collected the minibus and was taking the men home to Brighton.

Seven others, including groom-to-be James Forrer, had been taken in a different vehicle and were not involved in the crash, which happened at 2.15am between junctions 8 and 9, Reigate and Leatherhead.

Police described it as one of the worst collisions to have occurred on the M25.

The impact killed Andrew Graney, 29; Jonathan Chandler, 26; Rohan Chadwick, 27; and doctors Matthew O'Donnell, 30, and Christopher Janaway, 28.

The sixth passenger, Benjamin Pert, remains in Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex.